The Thanksgiving retreat at Spirit Rock is a special opportunity to spend the holiday in the compancy of a like-minded community, surrounded by the peace and silence of the land. We will spend our days in noble silence with the sitting and walking practices of Insight meditation (VIpassana). Supported in this beautiful container, we will explore how the teachings of the Buddha point us to directly touch and understand our experience, opening us to compassion and wisdom.

Concentration (samadhi) defined as the collection and unification of the mind, was emphasized by the Buddha as one of the aspects of the Eightfold Path. It can bring joy to your practice and develop the skillful use of pleasure in the meditative process. Whatever your level of practice, you can improve your Insight Meditation (Vipassana) by strengthening your concentration skills. Your ability to concentrate will develop in response to the attention you give it.

This retreat offers a series of techniques for staying on the meditation object for extended periods of time. We will explore the factors of concentration that lead to the deep absorption states known as jhana. Teachers will also give instruction for utilizing concentration during insight practice.

The Living Dharma retreat is intended for committed vipassana practitioners who wish to deepen their practice and understanding of the Buddha’s teachings through meditation, inquiry, study and sangha. Each year in this retreat, we offer some of the central teachings of the Buddha, and examine them in detail, especially regarding their relevance to our meditation practice and the experience of suffering and freedom in our lives. In 2013, the theme for the retreat will be the Four Foundations of Mindfulness. This teaching offers the Buddha’s main instructions for meditation, instructions that we work with to this day. During the week we will explore each of the Four Foundations through study, discussion and meditation practice.

During this residential retreat, we will explore the Buddha’s teaching on the Four Foundations of Mindfulness, with an emphasis on the third foundation: Mindfulness of Mind, awareness of the qualities of the mind. The practice encourages relaxation of body and mind while paying close attention to present moment experience, as well as the relationship of our mind to our experience. The practice unfolds through continuity of awareness in all activities.

Samish Island, Washington State April 12-21, 2013
With Andrea Fella and Heather Martin
In the sytle of Sayadaw U Tejaniya Sponsored by Bellingham Insight
For further information: http://bellinghaminsight.org